Story of Udhankar

Udhankar was a pious brahmin Sage who had great powers because of his great penances. Once he met Lord Krishna and was talking to him. While he was about to leave Udhankar Krishna asked him for anything and it would be given. But being so simple Udhankar refused to have anything as his needs are very few. Krishna went on asking him for any boon and finally Udhankar has relented and said "since you are so insistent give me water for drinking whenever I want it to quench my thirst as I used to wander in arid and dry lands".

Smilingly Krishna granted him this boon and vanished.

After sometime Udhankar was in a forest where there was no water and it was so hot he was in terrible thirst and went in search of water. He thought about the boon of Lord krishna and immediately one lowly Pulaya appeared in front of him. He was very dirty, half clothed and had some dogs with him and had a bow and some arrows and one cow's horn in which he kept drinking water.

This Pulaya smiled at Udhankar and said "Oh holy Brahmin it seems you are in thirst. I have water in my cow's horn. Drink it and quench your thirst." and offered his horn full of water.

But Udhankar was irritated by his ugly looks and dirty horn and refused it. But the Pulayah went on insisting him to drink it. But Udhankar refused and asked him to leave.

Then he prayed to Lord Krishna and asked him "Oh lord Krishna how you could keep me thirsty while promised to quench my thirst at anytime and everywhere?"

Lord Krishna appeared in front of him and said "Oh learned saint I asked Devendra to give you Nectar but he refused to share it with you as it was so precious. But I insisted and he said - I will go as a Pulaya and offer him this nectar. If he takes I will give it to him".

Krishna continued saying "So Devendra came as a Pulaya to offer you the Nectar (Amritham) but you have refused it. I thought that you being such an educated and knowledgeable person and would not refuse the water and hence agreed to Devendra's condition. but you have not passed the test."

Udhankar felt ashamed and guilty realizing that all are equal and no discrimination should be practiced.